Took the M1A plunge

[levallois]

I've posted this elsewhere so if have seen it then I apologize but I'm excited about my newest addition.

I've been looking for another Garand but ended up buying M1A after work yesterday - looks gently used. I didn't do as much research on these before I bought as I would have liked but this one was sitting in the local gunshop and it called out to me. Yes, I'm weak and I probably paid too much but there's worse things in life.

The box has a tag that has September 1997 and SPGMA9202 on it. The rest is as follows:

Springfield Armory Receiver ser. #105xxx
Barrel markings - Springfield Inc, Genesco IL and NM308
Bolt markings - 7790186 TRW ZB
Trigger housing - 7267030 TRW
Hammer - 5546008-HR-N
Op rod 7267064 HRA
Rear sight right windage - WCE
Rear sight elevation - WCE M
Rear sight aperature - 520 and NM
Front sight - M062 0n right side
Top handguard - DT19 on underside
Stock - walnut but no markings?

That's all that I can see without taking it down further to give it a good cleaning - something to do this weekend. What do you all think - got it for $1800 with a 30-round, 20-round and 5 round mag - 5 round has "Checkmate on it - 20 round has a large K with a smaller T and M. I don't see any markings on the 30-rounder? Also came with an ARMS M21/14 Swan scope mount. TE is 1.5 - I can't measures MW with the flash guard on there so tight.

Photo:



Thanks for looking!

John

Information

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[Joe W]

John, Looks real nice to me. SA INC. with USGI parts. I don't really know latest prices for M14s but I would have bought that one at the price you paid.

[Neal Myers]

You did well. The stock is a commercial one, used on most SA Inc rifles; they ran out of USGI stocks 20 years ago. We know it's not USGI, as it doesn't have the selector notch cut out on the right side.

The only USGI mags were 20 rounds. Checkmate Ind was a USGI supplier, but their USGI mags were marked CMI. The scope mount is a good (& expensive) one.

[madcratebuilder]

Sounds like a nice rifle, similar to my GI rifle, all TRW with a HR barrel in a GI glass stock. You can find GI wood with out much trouble if inclined. My NM rifle wears a heavy commercial stock. Are you going to scope it?

[Buntlineguy]

I got a Springfield Armory new in box last year. I don't want to give price because you will feel bad. I want to warn you about mounting a scope, though. If you decide to scope it, go all out and get the genuine Springfield mount. Others look the same, but they don't fit right. You will find that it is a very nice shooter. Have fun.
B

[jmoore]

I rather prefer the A.R.M.S. mount to the Springfield Inc., but I've used one of those (w/mods) extensively as well. The Brookfield Precision mount is excellent as well, but heavier. One of those is on the "Frankenrifle" , currently.

What version Swan/A.R.M.S. mount have you? The two pad (older) or the full 1913 rail?

[levallois]

This is the one that came with the rifle - sits very low -

[jmoore]

That's the current one. Most of the othe mounts require you to look under them when using the irons. The downside to this one is that the scope must be removed (unless you go through some extra effort beforehand) to use the irons. No biggie, generally, esp. if you use the LaRue or A.R.M.S. QD release rings. I prefer the LaRue in theory, but either is good gear. Even the Leupold QD rings are good, just a bit slower.

Ought to be a very good rifle. The stock doesn't "look" M-14'ish, due to the fatter fore end, but this type feels a bit more like a Garand when using 5 rd mags. The huge Super Match stocks have a "better" tighter curvature to the grip area, but the front is just too big for me- doesn't feel right. Your stock style is a fairly happy medium. I must say though, my favorite wood on a M1a/M14 is the very early pre-folding buttplate style (T44).

Link to pics of early style stock if you haven't seen 'em before:

M14 Wood Handguards - Page 2 - Military Surplus Collectors Forums

M14 stock w/ M1 buttplate - Military Surplus Collectors Forums
(Bob Seijas' rifle)



Range report?

[Claven2]

Beautiful rifle If it were mine, I'd be calling 762mmfirearms.com to order a proper USGI flash hider for it and then call her "done"

[Gunnyhiway]

What you paid for it is your business. If you like it and are happy then it was the right thing to do.

You have a nice rifle. It's a battle rifle so IMO I would get rid of the scope mount and then shoot it the way it was designed.............iron sights !

I have owned 8 different M1 Garands in different states of accuracy, all of them great rifles.......................until I saw an M1A owned by a club member many years ago and "took the plunge.

I always wanted one but being a Garand man I always made an excuse not to buy. Mine was $1350.00.
It is a SA Inc. with a 1990 ( preban) serial # with all USGI parts ( TRW , SA and HR ). The barrel is a 1961 H&R chromelined barrel. I heard stories how the chromelined barrels were not very accurate, BS ! With 168 HPBT in LC cases 41.5 gr. IMR 4895 powder it will keep most in the 9-10 ring if I do my part at 100 yards prone.
It was owned by an older gentleman in the gun club I'm in. I had shot matches with him but never knew he had the M1A as he never shot it in a match. He had about 200 rounds thru it with all the paperwork he kept at the range while shooting it.
I have had many, many rifles in my life and this is by far my favorite. I finally found it or it found me, what ever way you want to put it but it feels just right.

I no longer own any Garands. I have 3 M1As but none like the first one.

Get a NM FH, USGI ratchet chamber brush, some Sadlak goodies like op rod and hammer springs, op rod guide, wrench, drill set and a Dewey rod etc.

Welcome to the brotherhood !